ALAMOSA, Colo. – MSU Denver is ringing in the new year with a victory.
 
Ra'Shawn Langston scored 15 points and Laolu Oke had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds as five MSU Denver players scored in double figures in a clutch 77-66 victory at Adams State on Friday night.

"One of the biggest positives of the night is we had five guys in double figures and two more with seven and eight points," MSU Denver coach Michael Bahl said. "That balanced scoring is huge, especially in our league when you play back to backs."
 
Tyrei Randall and Keyshaad Dixon each scored 11 points and Miles Gibson scored 10 as MSU Denver improved to 10-2 overall and 4-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Dixon grabbed eight rebounds, his best total in two seasons as a Roadrunner.
 
MSU Denver will look to celebrate New Year's with another victory Saturday in a 6:30 p.m. game at CSU-Pueblo. Tip-off has been moved up one hour.
 
MSU Denver held Adams State to 33.9 percent shooting from the field while forcing 15 turnovers.
 
"I'm very proud of our defensive effort from start to finish," Bahl said. "After a long layoff (10 days) like we had, it was important for us to really focus on defense, and I think that's our identity as a team. That won the game for us."

MSU Denver built a 14-point second half lead at 52-38, but Adams State pulled within six points multiple times in the final 10 minutes and cut the deficit to 65-60 with 3:14 to play.
 
Then the Grizzlies were whistled for a flagrant foul and two technical fouls, and though MSU Denver made only 2 of 6 free throws, Langston scored on a driving layup on the ensuing possession with 2:13 left, putting MSU Denver ahead 69-60 and in firm control.
 
"Give 100 percent credit to Adams," Bahl said. "They competed and fought until the end and put a ton of pressure on us defensively."